Speed bandage

ABSTRACT

A bandage dispenser is described. The dispenser includes a rectangular casing unit having at least two inner walls and a slit-shaped opening in one side thereof, a rotatable bandage dispenser positioned within the rectangular casing, and a long strip of bandage dispensing material wound around the rotatable bandage dispenser and suitable for movement through the slit-shaped opening. A plurality of bandages are removably attached to the long strip of bandage dispensing material and are positioned in a single row thereon, and bandage removal starters are positioned in between the bandages and the long strip of bandage dispensing material, for permitting fast dis-adhesion of a bandage from the long strip of bandage dispensing material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on United States provisional patent application serial no. No. 60/315,741, filed Aug. 29, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes and from which priority is claimed.

SPECIFICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Technical Field. The present invention relates medical bandage dispensing devices, and more particularly, to bandage dispensers containing a large number of small bandages.

[0003] Background Art. Bandages are a common and widely applied first aid supply, and are typically used to cover and protect damaged areas of the skin. One common form of bandage includes a sterile wound protecting material to cover a damaged area of skin, and removable, adhesive attachable tape to effect attachment of the bandage to neighboring undamaged skin. Common commercially available bandages of this type include, for example, Band-Aid® brand bandages.

[0004] Unfortunately, the common technique for applying such bandages to an area of damaged skin may be time consuming and cumbersome. A bandage must be removed from a box or other storage mechanism, have its protective covering removed, and then must be applied to the damaged skin area, often requiring the use of two hands. While certain commercial grade equipment has been proposed, e.g., the mechanized bandage dispensers described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,299,018 to Kimbrell and 6,213,343 Damikolos, they require expensive mechanical means for dispensing bandages.

[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for a low-cost, hand-held bandage dispenser which provides easily applicable bandages to a user upon demand without the need for mechanized parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost, hand-held bandage dispenser which provides easily applicable bandages to a user upon demand without the need for mechanized parts.

[0007] In order to meet these and other objects of the present invention which will become apparent with reference to further disclosure set forth below, the present invention provides a bandage dispenser which includes a rectangular casing unit having at least two inner walls and a slit-shaped opening in one side thereof, a rotatable bandage dispenser positioned within the rectangular casing, and a long strip of bandage dispensing material wound around the rotatable bandage dispenser and suitable for movement through the slit-shaped opening. A plurality of bandages are removably attached to the long strip of bandage dispensing material and are positioned in a single row thereon, and bandage removal starters are positioned in between the bandages and the long strip of bandage dispensing material, for permitting fast dis-adhesion of a bandage from the long strip of bandage dispensing material.

[0008] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of this disclosure, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a casing for a bandage dispenser in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2. is a side sectional vide of a bandage dispenser suitable for inclusion in the casing of FIG. 1; and

[0011]FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram of an exemplary bandage useful with the bandage dispenser of FIG. 2.

[0012] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like features, elements, components or portions of the illustrated embodiments. Moreover, while the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figs., it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1-3, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an casing unit, which may be fabricated, e.g., from plastic, or any other material suitable for maintaining a sterile environment. The exemplary casing includes casing faces 4 that are 6.7 cm. long by 6.7 cm. wide and casing sides 5 that are 6.7 cm. long by 2.3 cm. wide. A slit 1 is formed towards the top of one of the sides 5 of the casing, and is preferably 2.2 cm. long (almost as long as the side 5 is wide) by 0.6 cm. wide. This narrow width assists in maintaining a nearly sterile environment within the casing, while permitting a bandage 8 to be removed therefrom.

[0014] Referring next to FIG. 2., a bandage dispenser suitable for inclusion in the casing of FIG. 1 will be described. The dispenser 11 is similar to tape dispenser, and rotatable upon a circular channel of 2.3 cm in diameter which encompasses a round peg 9. The peg may be suitably connected to the inner surfaces of the casing faces 4. Both the peg 9 and the dispenser 11 may be constructed of plastic or any other inexpensive, ridged material. The dispenser 11 contains a long strip of bandage dispensing material 2, such as wax paper, which may be 60 cm long by 2.2 cm wide. A plurality of bandages 3 are positioned on the wax paper strip 2, each one approximately 2 cm apart 10, in a single file row, and each with its adhesive side in contact with the wax paper. The long strip of bandage dispensing material with attached bandages is wound around the dispenser 11.

[0015] Referring next to FIG. 3, exemplary bandage 3 useful with the bandage dispenser of FIG. 2 will be described. The bandage, which may be 7.5 cm long by 1.8 cm wide for use in the exemplary embodiment, includes a cushion pad portion 7 which is 2.3 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The bandage includes a removable, adhesive attachable material on an inner face thereof (not shown) suitable for adhesion to skin. Finally, a bandage removal starter material, such small piece of wax paper 6, which may be 1.5 cm long by 1 cm wide, is positioned under a leading edge section 12 of the bandage 3 to permit tear-away removal of the bandage 3 from the wax paper strip 2.

[0016] In use, the present invention provides a fast and sterile way to apply a bandage during a minor medical emergency. The apparatus works like a roll of scotch tape in a dispenser. The bandages 3 pull out of the casing one at a time, without the necessity of pulling off any paper cover. This invention allows you to apply a bandage to a wound instantly.

[0017] Since the average person is always in a hurry, especially during a minor medical emergency, the present invention provides a fast and extremely easy to use with its tear-away method that allows an individual to apply a bandage to an injury in an instant. The invention is also environmentally friendly, since it rolls out of a sterile box and needs no extra wrappings.

[0018] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. For example, the dimensions of the casing and dispenser can be adjusted for all size sterile bandages. Likewise, other materials may be substituted for the small piece of wax paper positioned at the leading edge of each bandage. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous techniques which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are thus within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A bandage dispenser, comprising: (a) a rectangular casing unit having at least two inner walls and a slit-shaped opening in one side thereof; (b) a rotatable bandage dispenser positioned within said rectangular casing and attached to each of said at least two inner walls thereof; (c) a long strip of bandage dispensing material wound around said rotatable bandage dispenser and suitable for movement through said slit-shaped opening; (d) a plurality of bandages, each having an adhesive side, removably attached to said long strip of bandage dispensing material and positioned in a single row thereon; and (e) a plurality of a bandage removal starters, each positioned in between one of said plurality of bandages and said long strip of bandage dispensing material, for permitting fast dis-adhesion of a bandage from said long strip of bandage dispensing material . 